This new staff has hosted 15 uncommitted players going back to the last two weeks of the last cycle and landed 10 of them. That's pretty incredible.
I think there are some very positive factors surrounding this class. First of all, the old staff was able to land some big commitments early on with Jurkuvic (to lazy to check spelling) being the biggest. More importantly, I think this new staff is just a harder working group that is more interested in recruiting, something I find highly encouraging. The last week of 2017 seems to be an indicator. Most importantly is the presence of Brian Polian. He may be the most important hire, Elko not withstanding.
2 things: ND has to win games next year and the staff needs to do a better job staving off the poachers.
First, Jurkovec growing up a fan of Notre Dame makes a huge difference as a PA kid. Plus, Sanford did a good job with him so it made sense for him.
Second, Markese Stepp being an Indiana kid, being really good, and having such a thirst for recruiting, are strokes of luck. He is seriously an amazing recruiter, it's actually hard to overstate.
Third, there are a lot of good players in the midwest period, which lends itself to Notre Dame having a good class.
Fourth, a lot of the Florida kids have midwest ties. Houston Griffith is a midwest kid, Braden Lenzy has midwest ties, Brian Hightower has midwest ties.
Fifth, the best player in Illinois happened to be a huge Notre Dame fan.
Sixth, turns out having a defensive coordinator who cares about recruiting and has a body of work in college that shows success, is a good thing.
Seventh, whatever message the whole staff is selling, its working out right now.
And doing it well helps even more.
I know that Scott Booker helped re-establish us as a force in WPa.
Need to get studs here. We've had a few sprinkled in over past few years (Tuitt, Day, Jaylon) but haven't had great units.
If we can get (bigly) upgrade here, we can contend.
Even Bryant Young and Flanagan came in as big LBs who beefed up at ND.
but the NFL $$ tainted him
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said "we gotta fill this bitch.."
...qualifiers really early and sticking to them like flypaper. I know that David Fleming (Pgh Central Catholic DC) turned ND on to Adams in ninth grade, and the kid from Erie (Bauer?), whom I have not seen, is supposed to be a real banger.
Circa 17th and Girard, Philadelphia, PA
Aka... The Prep.
But we are getting more guys from my neck of the woods than we have in years. All from top programs.
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Keep 'em comin, keep 'em comin...